Commentary on Angels In America Essay

Angels in America

Everyone has his or her own personal faults in life. Some are looked down upon more for their issues than others are. Homosexual relationships are considered sacrilegious and unethical, so much that we scrutinize persons having those relations. We as a society should not look down upon individuals whose sexual preference is different from our own.

The 80's were a time of economic growth and global power. It is also the setting for Tony Kushner's play, "Angels in America". In Kushner's play it was at time of gay revelation. Reagan's reforms and policies gave homosexual people the power and courage to be more open sexually. Throughout this play, "coming out", is a very new evolution, one that Kushner bases his play on.

In the story, many of his characters are homosexual, and the truth about their sexual preferences comes out. Roy Cohn is a successful lawyer in New York, who is dying of AIDS because of his sexual relationships. He keeps his love relationship separate from his professional life for the simple fact that if he were exposed to the wrong people it could damage his reputation. This information could be used against him in court. He lies to people, telling them he has cancer to conceal his homosexuality and prevent them from knowing about his sickness. Roy is facing disbarment and if they knew he was gay, he would easily be barred from being a lawyer. Roy tells his doctor, Henry, that "Roy Cohn is not a homosexual man. Roy Cohn is a heterosexual man, who fucks around with guys". (Kushner Pt. One, Act 1, scene IX) He does not believe that he is gay, just that he occasionally has the desire to be satisfied by a man. His political power and religious beliefs affect how others view him. He is not well liked and if the truth about Roy ever went public, he would be ruined. Joe Pitt is another example of a homosexual man coming out into a society that doesn't accept gay relationships. Joe is married to Harper, a woman who is addicted to Valium. He is like Roy Cohn in that he is a well-respected person whose career would be affected if it came out that he was gay. Joe's situation is different from Roy's because he is a married man that is on an adventurous path towards love. He is experimenting with his sexuality, not really sure of what path to take. When Joe tells his mother, Hannah, she is furious and does not believe him. Her Mormon son is a homosexual, a hard concept for her to understand. He is scared to reveal his secret life to society for the fear of resentment. This is true in society that we criticize those who are in a homosexual relationship. Mathew Sheppard is an obvious example. He was a teenager murdered because he was gay in a society that does not accept such behavior. Whose at fault for his murder, his killers or society?

Prior is another homosexual man in Kushner's play. He is different from Roy and Joe because he is not a professional. Prior is also affected by the AIDS virus, and is near death. He is visited by Angels often and is eventually sent to heaven. In heaven, Prior is set before the Continental Principalities. He pleads with them and asks to be blessed and sent back to Earth to live the rest of his life. They grant his wish, and send him back to earth. This proves that if the Continental Principalities (God) can forgive someone because of his or her sexual preference, than we as society can accept this kind of relationship.

The graphic details Kushner describes about living and dying with the AIDS disease, gives the audience both the view of a horrifying disease and hope for the future. In the beginning of this play, there is a feeling that homosexuality is despised, but as the play moves to the second part the mood changes. It changes to a very relaxed, almost understanding, and picture of how homosexuality is viewed. In contemporary America, homosexuality is becoming accepted as a sexual preference. Many interest groups, organizations and gay people have strived for this for years. It is not our right to judge others because of what sexual preference they choose, but it is our God given right to be proud of that choice.